Mumbai, Sep 6 : The North East Students Organisation (NESO), met the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavanji at Varsha, in his official bungalow at Malabar Hill, Mumbai, on September 4, 2012.

The NESO informed the CM, that the NESO being the umbrella organization of non-political apex students’ bodies of Northeastern India, had an emergency meeting at Guwahati on August 23. 2012, to discuss the issue confronting the Northeasterns in the mainland India.

The NESO has taken a number of resolutions and has come out with different strategies to reciprocate to the on-going situation. One of such programs is to hold a Public Protest Rally on the September 6, 2012 at Guwahati, the Gateway of North East.

The NESO also briefed the Maharashtra CM of its meeting with Deputy CM of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N Kiran Kumar Reddy.

In the above light, the NESO fervently appealed to the CM, to address the peoples' rally in Guwahati in person to give strong messages against the anti-social forces or send a representative of his Government to the proposed rally.

The CM gave a patient hearing and assured safety of Northeastern people and to the students living in Mumbai, Pune or any other part of Maharashtra and also assured to discuss with his colleague and explore the scope of coming to Guwahati.

The CM praised NESO for holding a public rally on September 6, 2012 at Guwahati regarding the issue about people from the North Eastern states. He said, thousands of students and workers from the Northeastern region of our country have been residing in Maharashtra happily for years.

When we speak about diversity, hospitality and openness in Indian culture, the State of Maharashtra is a front runner. He said, “Our State is second home to people of all religions, caste and regions across the country.

This is why we are upset about the recent incidents in parts of the country involving the people of the Northeast.” Some miscreants have tried to spread unrest through rumours but the Government of Maharashtra took immediately steps and assured full protection to the people of North Eastern region.

The government of Maharashtra is firmly committed to protect the fundamental right to reside anywhere in the country, he added. The CM also appealed to people of Northeast not to pay heed to rumours.

Chavanji confirmed that the situation in Maharashtra is completely peaceful, safe and his Government is fully committed to protect the lives and property of every citizen including people from the North East. He appealed to all those students who have gone home to return immediately to their schools and colleges and resume their studies.

“ The State Government will make every effort to uphold the rule of law in the State. Let us cherish the spirit of unity and brotherhood that we have always cherished and valued”. This was stated in a press release.